15+ Best Private Nursing Schools in Kenya

If you’re searching for the best private nursing schools in Kenya where you can enroll to start or upgrade your nursing career, this list is for you. The criteria for selecting these schools were simple; the school must be a health-focused private institution that is not part of a larger university or a mission-based school. 

Take your time to sift through the list, visit their respective sites, and make a decision about which institution to apply to based on your preference.

1. AMREF International University 

Located along Langata Road opposite Wilson Airport, AMREF International University was established by AMREF Health Africa in 2010 to bridge the healthcare gap by producing highly competent nurses. It’s well equipped for learning and research, several internationally renowned lectures, an extensive alumni network, and much more that could help you gain the best nursing skills. 

AMREF International University offers a wide variety of courses from certificates to diplomas, to degrees. Generally, most of these courses fall under:

• Healthcare administration and management
• Nursing
• Physiotherapy
• Community health and social work

Contacts: 

• Phone: +254 741 743 871 
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the AMREF Univeristy Applications Portal.

2. Catherine McAuley Nursing School 

Catherine McAuley Nursing School is a subsidiary of The Mater Hospital. It was founded in 1972 as a midwifery training program and admitted its first Kenya Registered Nursing students in 2004. Located along Namanga Road in Nairobi, the institution which is accredited by both the Nursing Council of Kenya and TVET, is well equipped to offer nursing students training through ist multidimensional learning experiences from class, to clinicals and practice to self-based learning. 

Courses offered at the Catherine McAuley Nursing School include:

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing
• Higher Diploma in Perioperative Nursing
• Higher Diploma in Critical Care Nursing
• Higher Diploma in Kenya Registered Nephrology Nursing
• Higher Diploma in Kenya Registered Midwifery

Contacts

• Phone: 0719073164, 0732163164
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Contact 0732163164, Mon-Friday between 8.00 am to 3:00 pm.

3. Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences 

Founded in 1956 as a Kenya Hospital Association initiative, the Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences is a leading nursing school in Kenya that’s also one of the most costly with fees ranging from 200K to 300K per year. The nursing school is a subsidiary of The Nairobi Hospital and is located within the compound of the hospital along Argwings Khodhek Road in Nairobi. It adopts blended teaching to serve all students including those who can’t physically attend class.

Courses offered in Cicely McDonell College of Health Sciences include:

• Kenya Registered Nursing
• Kenya Registered Oncology Nursing
• Kenya Registered Neonatal Nursing
• Kenya Registered Critical Care Nursing 
• Kenya Registered Perioperative Nursing
• Kenya Registered Trauma and Emergency Nursing

Contacts

• Phone: 0730666854/ 0703 082000/ 020 2846854
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Contact the school for more information on how to apply

4. Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital School of Nursing 

Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital was established in 1947, with the donation of Colonel Ewart Grogan in memory of his beloved wife Gertrude Edith. It’s one of the most established pediatric hospitals in Eastern and Central Africa. Its nursing school therefore is mostly designed to train high-quality pediatricians. Although small as an institution, Gertrude’s School of Nursing is highly sought after by prospective nurses in Kenya and beyond. It’s located in Muthaiga along Muthaiga Road, Nairobi.

Courses offered at the Gertrude’s Children’s Hospital School of Nursing include:

• Higher National Diploma in Paediatric Nursing
• Higher National Diploma in Paediatric Critical Care Nursing
• Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing
• Diploma in Perioperative Theatre Technology
• Diploma in Psychosocial Counselling: Paediatric and Adolescent Option

Contacts

• Phone: 0759297589
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Fill out the application form and submit it to Getrude’s Children’s Hospital Muthaiga

5. Goshen Medical & Technical College 

Goshen Medical and Technical College started as a computer training institute in 2010 but transitioned to offer courses beyond the IT space such as nursing and community health. Its mission is to provide high-quality education through a combination of knowledge and skills. It’s located in Thiks along Garissa Road and is one of the most affordable private nursing schools, with fees ranging from Ksh 20,000 and Ksh 50,000 per trimester. 

Nursing certificate and diploma courses offered at the Goshen Medical and Technical College include:

• Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse & IT
• Operating Theatre Technology & IT
• Orthopedic and Trauma Medicine
• Clinical Counseling Psychology & IT
• Community Health and Nutrition & IT
• Community Health and HIV Management & IT
• Health Records & IT
• Laboratory Science Technology & IT

Contacts

• Phone: 0750264044
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the course application page, click on the apply button beside your chosen course, and fill in the admission form.

6. Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences 

The Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences is a leading nursing school with accreditation by TVET, to offer health and medical training courses at artisan, certificate, and diploma levels. Located in Thika, 600 meters from the Thika Level 5 hospital, ICMHS is committed to nurturing healthcare practitioners who excel at various levels within the medical field. It’s made up of 6 departments and offers a wide range of nursing-related courses.

Certificate and diploma courses offered at the Imperial College of Medical and Health Sciences include:

• Diploma in Nursing
• Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Surgery
• Community health assistant 
• Health support services
• Community health and development 
• Science laboratory technology
• Medical engineering 
• Health records and information technology

Contacts

• Phone: +254719223223 / 0111 052 600
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the ICMHS registration page and register.

7. Joan School Of Nursing 

Joan School of Nursing accepted its first admission in 2014 and has since produced professional nurses who have served Kenya and beyond. The college located at Masaba Hospital in Chulaimbo, Kisumu provides a supportive, creative, and professional environment for learning practical skills in nursing and empowering students to launch their careers in nursing. It currently offers one nursing course and has two intakes; in March and September. 

Courses offered at Joan School Of Nursing include:

• Diploma in General Nursing

Contacts

• Phone: 0739 216 209
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the application page and follow the instructions.

8. Karen Hospital Medical Training College 

The Karen Hospital Medical Training College was launched in September 2013 by the respective hospital, accepting the first batch of 9 students. It has since grown to have hundreds of students enrolled at any given time and is known to produce highly competent nurses who work at high-end private, faith-based, and public healthcare facilities. Its mission is to train internationally competent healthcare professionals who offer quality nursing care. It’s located within the Karen Hospital compound along Langata Road, Nairobi.

Courses offered at the Karen Hospital Medical Training College include:

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Nursing 
• Diploma in Peri-operative Theatre Technology
• Higher Diploma in Cardiology
• Higher Diploma in Cardiopulmonary Perfusion 

Contacts

• Phone: 0727254222, 0709382086
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the KHMTC application page and follow the instructions.

9. Nairobi Women’s Hospital College 

The Nairobi Women’s Hospital College was founded by the respective facility in 2008 and approved by TVET and the Nursing Council of Kenya in 2011, to offer nursing courses. Since its inception, it has graduated over 500 students who have gone to serve medical facilities in different places in Kenya and internationally. The college, located along Kikuyu Road in Dagoreti South focuses on delivering transformative healthcare education focusing on individual achievement and fostering continuous intellectual growth. 

Courses offered by the Nairobi Women’s Hospital College include artisan, certificate, and diploma in:

• Community Health Nurse
• Critical Care Nursing
• Peri-Operative Theatre Nursing and Technology
• Health Care Assitant
• Medical Social Work
• Community Health Assistant
• Health Records and IT
• Advanced Cardiac Life Support
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• Counseling Psychology

Contacts

• Phone: 0708 287 474
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the school’s online application page and proceed with your application.

10. Nep College of Health Sciences 

Located along Harambee Road in Garissa Town, Nep College of Health Sciences is a professional training institution that aims to serve the marginalized northeastern region of Kenya, by providing qualified professionals to serve various capacities in the nursing field. The institution is approved by the Ministry of Higher Education, and the Nursing Council of Kenya and has since inception, already graduated multiple hundreds of nurses. 

Courses offered at the Nep College of Health Sciences include:

• Diploma in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing
• Diploma in Community Health
• Certificate in Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing
• Certificate in Community Health 

Contacts

• Phone: 0725846276 
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Contact the school to inquire more about the application process.

11. North Coast Medical Training College 

Located in the serene lush environment of Mtwapa in Kilifi county is the North Coast Medical Training College, a regionally recognized nursing school established in 2010. The institution is known for its work-abroad program where it partners with health institutions in the USA, Canada, and other first-world countries with a demand for nurses. The college offers a wide selection of nursing courses and provides the students with a stress-free environment for learning.

Some courses offered at the North Coast Medical Training College include:

• Medical Catering
• Community Health and Development
• Orthopaedic and Trauma Medicine
• Health Systems Support Management
• Biomedical Engineering
• Clinical Medicine and Surgery
• Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing
• Nutrition & Dietetics

Contacts

• Phone: +254 708 235 208, +254 713 788 077
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the online application page and follow the instructions provided.

12. Nyahururu Medical Training College 

Nyahururu Medical Training College was founded in 2016 as a center for professional development of medical and health practitioners. Located in Ziwani Estate, along Nyahurur-Nyeru Road, NMTC is home to prospective nursing students from across the country. It’s accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya and other professional bodies to offer a variety of health courses with a mission of teaching competent health practitioners. 

Courses offered by the Nyahururu Medical Training College include certificates and diplomas in:

• Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing
• Kenya Clinical Medicine and Surgery
• Health Records and Information Technology
• Theatre Technology
• Counseling Psychology
• Nutrition and Dietetics
• Community Health and Development
• Health Care Assistant
• Social Work and Community Development

Contacts

• Phone: 0777 094 223, 0110 094 223
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Visit the application page and follow the instructions provided.

13. Outspan Medical College 

Outspan Medical College is a subsidiary of the Outspan Hospital, one of the best private hospitals in the Mt. Kenya region. Located in the outskirts of Nyeri Town, the institution which is currently home to over 1000 students is recognized for training competitive medical professionals who work in numerous capacities both locally and internationally. The college’s mission is to provide healthcare training through personalized learning founded on innovative and critical thinking.

Courses offered at Outspan Medical College include diplomas, certificates, and short courses in:

• Critical Care Nursing
• Health Records and Information Technology
• Medical laboratory Sciences
• Clinical Medicine and Surgery
• Nursing
• Pharmacy
• Psychology 
• Nutrition
• Perioperative Theatre Technology

Contacts

• Phone:0702303777
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Follow the application process provided on the online registration page.

14. The Nairobi West Hospital College of Health Sciences 

The Nairobi West Hospital College of Health Sciences is a subsidiary of the respective hospital located within the facility’s compound along Gandhi Avenue in Nairobi. It offers a variety of courses and allows students to utilize the available state-of-the-art technology and facilities available to acquire nursing knowledge, skills, and experience. It has a slew of experienced instructors who prepare students for successful health careers. 

Courses offered at The Nairobi West Hospital College include:

• Higher Diploma in Critical Care
• Diploma in Physiotherapy
• Diploma in perioperative Theatre Technology
• Certificate in peri-operative Theatre Technology
• Health Care Assistance (Caregiving) 

Contacts

• Phone: +254780800073
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Register on the school’s online portal.

15. Thika School of Medicine and Health Sciences 

Thika School of Medicine and Health Sciences is perhaps the largest private nursing school in the country having graduated over 20,000 students and hosting 3,000+ students at any given time. The college, which is located along Garissa Road in Thika has been around for more than a decade and has professional lecturers and staff members who offer personalized attention to students to help them chart their path into a successful medical and health science career.

Courses Offered at the Thika School of Medicine and Health Sciences include certificates and diplomas in:

• General Nursing
• Public Health
• Radiography
• Clinical Medicine & Surgery
• Laboratory Technology
• Health Records & IT
• Nutrition & Dietetics
• Community Development & Social Work
• Community Health & Development
• Community Health & HIV/AIDS Management

Contacts

• Phone: +254 723 991 866
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Contact the school to learn how to apply

16. Waka CMEC Training Institution 

Waka Medical Training Institute is a recognized nursing school located in Nyeri Road, Karatina, that provides several health-related courses to prepare health practitioners for the expanding healthcare industry. It is accredited by the Nursing Council of Kenya. TVET and the Ministry of Education. It offers a variety of teaching modes for students to learn without sacrificing their social and professional commitments

Courses offered at the Waka CMEC Training Institution include:

• Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery
• Diploma & Certificate in Perioperative Theater Technology
• Certificate in Health Care Assistants
• Certificate in HIV Testing and Counselling

Contacts

• Phone: +254 722 963 213, +254 707 472 152
• Email: [email protected]

Where to Apply: Fill out and submit the online application form. 

Wrapping up!

While not conclusive, these are some of the best nursing schools in Kenya. If you’re interested in pursuing a course in the same, reach out to the school you find most attractive and apply. Otherwise, if you know of a reputable private nursing school that’s supposed to be on this list, leave a comment below. All the best in your career pursuit.